CVE-2016-4174 in Flash Player
Summary
by MITRE • 01/25/2023
Use-after-free vulnerability in Adobe Flash Player before 18.0.0.366 and 19.x through 22.x before 22.0.0.209 on Windows and OS X and before 11.2.202.632 on Linux allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-4173, CVE-2016-4222, CVE-2016-4226, CVE-2016-4227, CVE-2016-4228, CVE-2016-4229, CVE-2016-4230, CVE-2016-4231, and CVE-2016-4248.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2023
The CVE-2016-4174 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in Adobe Flash Player that affected multiple version ranges across different operating systems. This vulnerability specifically impacted Windows and macOS systems running Flash Player versions before 18.0.0.366 and 19.x through 22.x before 22.0.0.209, as well as Linux systems before version 11.2.202.632. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-416, which describes the condition where software frees a memory resource and then continues to use that resource, creating a dangerous state where subsequent memory operations can lead to unpredictable behavior. This particular flaw demonstrates the classic patterns of memory safety issues that have historically plagued multimedia and web browser plugins.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through unspecified attack vectors that leverage the improper handling of memory resources within Flash Player's runtime environment. When a malicious actor crafts specially designed content that triggers the use-after-free condition, the attacker can manipulate the freed memory location to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Flash Player process. This typically involves crafting malicious swf files or web content that, when processed by the vulnerable Flash Player, causes memory to be freed but subsequently accessed, enabling code execution. The vulnerability's distinction from related CVEs such as CVE-2016-4173, CVE-2016-4222, and others indicates that it represents a unique exploitation pathway rather than a variant of previously discovered flaws. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers the use of scripting languages for execution, and T1203, which involves exploitation for privilege escalation.
The impact of CVE-2016-4174 extends beyond simple code execution to represent a significant threat to system security and user privacy. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to compromised systems, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system compromise, or deployment of additional malware. The widespread adoption of Flash Player across various platforms made this vulnerability particularly dangerous, as it could be exploited across different operating environments. The vulnerability's presence in multiple version streams across Windows, macOS, and Linux systems created a broad attack surface that security professionals had to address through comprehensive patching strategies. Organizations implementing mitigation strategies needed to consider not only immediate patch deployment but also network-level protections and user education to prevent exploitation of this and similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's classification as a use-after-free issue aligns with the broader category of memory corruption vulnerabilities that have historically been primary attack vectors for advanced persistent threats and zero-day exploits in enterprise environments.